Assessing Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Government

353 Promises and a Mandate for Change

During the 2015 election, the Liberal Party of Justin Trudeau promised to make real change in the lives of all Canadians. On the eve of the next election, Assessing Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Government provides a rigorous and impartial assessment of how the government has delivered on its campaign promises.

Under the direction of Lisa Birch and François Pétry, twenty renowned academics investigate the fate of the 353 liberal campaign promises in fields as varied as international relations, energy and sustainable development, the economy, Indigenous Reconciliation, and the legalization of recreational cannabis. Collaborators draw from a common set of documentary sources and rely on a common method to analyze and contextualize their pledge fulfillment verdicts. Contrary to the popular belief that politicians make empty promises, it appears that the Liberals in power have fulfilled, at least in part, the vast majority of their promises. The book concludes with a reflection on the relevance and meaning of campaign promises for Canadian democracy. In particular, it ponders the paradox that fulfilling campaign promises does not necessarily create a sense of enthusiasm among voters.

Lisa Birch is the executive director of the Centre for the Analysis of Public Policy, an associate professor of political science at the Université Laval, and a professor of political science at CEGEP Champlain – St. Lawrence.

François Pétry is an emeritus professor of political science at Université Laval and creator, in collaboration with Lisa Birch, of the Polimeter to track the fulfillment of election promises by Canadian governments.